"Stasheff, Christopher - Warlock 04 - The Warlock Enraged" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stasheff Christopher)

That was where the real danger lay, of courseЧnot in
the opinions people held, but in the concepts they knew to

be trueЧespecially when they weren't.

Rod shook off the mood. "So the chief sorcerer has been
knocking off the local lordlings and taking over their hold-
ings. How far has his power spread?"

"Rumor speaks of several baronets who have fallen 'neath
his sway," Tuan said, brooding, "and even Duke Romanov,

himself."

"Romanov?" Rod stared, appalled. "One of the twelve

great lords? How could he fall, without word of it reaching

us?"

"I could accomplish itЧand I am no wizard." Tuan

shrugged. "'Tis simplicityЧclose a ring of iron around his
castle under cover of night, then hurl an army 'gainst his
barbican, and siege machines against his towers. Invest the
castle, and trust to thy ring of knights and men-at-arms to
see that not a soul wins free to bear off word."

Rod shuddered at Tuan's sangfroid. "But he had a couple
ofesp- uh, witches, guesting in his tower!"

"More than 'guesting,' as I hear it," Tuan answered, with
a grim smile. "They were thoroughly loyal to Milord Duke,
for he had saved them from the stake and embers. They've
been of great service tending to the ill and injured and, I
doubt not, gathering information for him."

Rod frowned. "They must have been very discreet about

THE WARLOCK ENRAGED 15

it. We make it a practice, in the Royal Coven, not to pry
into the minds of anyone except your enemies."

"Or those who might become so," Tuan amended. "Who's
to say his witches did more? Nay, once Catharine showed
them the way of it, and thou and thy good wife did aid her
in forming that band into a battle-weapon, all the lords did
leam, and followed suit."